PREVIEW: QPR V TOWN

Tommy Smith is looking to put a string of results together as Town travel to Loftus Road

Tommy Smith hopes that Tuesday’s last gasp win over Reading can be the catalyst to spark a positive run of form and consolidate Town’s place in the Play-Off positions.

The Blues travel to Loftus Road to face Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s QPR tomorrow looking to get their away form back on track after back-to-back losses on the road to Portsmouth and Birmingham.

“It was nice to get a win to remedy what happened against Reading earlier in the season. We wanted to make sure we put it right and it’s a good job we got the three points,” Tommy told Ipswich Player HD.

“You don’t want to go on a losing run but with the position we’re in now, we’re fighting for that top-six and we need to go on a good run, so hopefully we can put one together now.

“QPR have good players, Premier League quality players, and it hasn’t quite clicked for them so far but we know how dangerous they can be so we’ll be ready prepared for them.

“It’s an old fashioned ground with the crowd right on top of you so the atmosphere will be good and we relish that. It will be a good test for us again because they probably fancy themselves and it’s up to us to try to produce a good run.”

Team News

Town

Jonathan Douglas will serve the second of his three match ban at Loftus Road, but Town are likely to have Ryan Fraser, Luke Hyam and Daryl Murphy fit despite all three picking up knocks in Tuesday’s win over Reading. Teddy Bishop, David McGoldrick [both hamstring] and Dean Gerken [shoulder] remain out.

QPR

The R’s do not have any real injury concerns for tomorrow, but will be without former Blue Jay Emmanuel-Thomas as well as midfielders, Leroy Fer and Sandro with the trio joining MK Dons, Swansea and West Brom respectively on deadline day loan deals. They will, however, be able to select their January recruits, Conor Washington, Matt Ingram and Nasser El Khayati, with all three looking for their first start for their new club.

Luke Chambers gave Town fans a late Christmas present as he headed a last-minute winner when the R’s came to Portman Road on Boxing Day. Junior Hoilett got the game up and running with a goal right on the stroke of half-time, but Jonathan Douglas levelled with less than 15 minutes remaining with an acrobatic effort from close range. Chambers then rose the highest in the second minute of stoppage time to head home a Freddie Sears cross and ensure Town claimed all three points.

Key Players

Brett Pitman

Cole Skuse mentioned in his post-match interview following the 2-1 win over Reading on Tuesday that Brett hates being labelled as a ‘super sub’ but he’s become just that in recent weeks. He does offer much more than substitute appearances, and his nine goals in all competitions so far this season prove that. He will hope to be more than a substitute tomorrow, and if he does play from the start, it will be the first time in the league since that win over Hasselbaink’s men on Boxing Day.

Sebastian Polter

The German striker has had to step up following Charlie Austin’s move to Southampton, and so far he hasn’t disappointed, scoring four times in his last six Championship matches. He and Hoitlett have been the two players that have flourished since the appointment of Hasselbaink, scoring seven out of the eleven league goals scored under the Dutchman’s stewardship so far.

Sky Bet Odds

QPR have been made favourites for tomorrow’s game by the bookies and are priced at 6/4 to pick up all three points at Loftus Road. The R’s have drawn seven of their new manager’s first ten games in charge of the club, and the draw is available at 11/5. Town are priced at a generous 19/10 to win the game.